Oman - Environment

Maintaining an adequate supply of water for agricultural and domestic
use is Oman's most pressing environmental problem. The nation has
only 1 cubic kilometer of renewable water resources, with 94% used in
farming and 2% for industrial activity. Only 30% of all rural dwellers
have pure drinking water. Both drought and limited rainfall contribute
to shortages in the nation's water supply. The nation's
soil has shown increased levels of salinity. Pollution of beaches and
other coastal areas by oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz
and Gulf of Oman is also a persistent problem.

In 2001, the nation had nine endangered species of mammals and five
endangered types of bird. Nineteen plant species are also threatened
with extinction. Decrees have been passed to protect endangered species,
which include the South Arabian leopard, Arabian oryx, mountain gazelle,
goitered gazelle, Arabian tahr, green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and
olive turtle.